Baby it’s cold outside! After an unusually warm (and soggy) October and November, Winnipeg winter has returned with a vengeance; first by dumping several square yards of snow on us; then by dropping the temperature well beyond the legal limit. For those of you who were looking forward to winter getting here, you are welcome to my share. I’m still trying to figure out why I didn’t leave with the geese. I’m a bad Manitoban, I admit it. I can’t stand cold weather. My living here is purely an accident of birth. Somebody made a terrible mistake somewhere. Please get me out of this deepfreeze!!!

Ok, I’ve gotten that out of my system, now I can move on. Happy New Year everyone. Welcome to January in Manitoba. For those of you who are having trouble finding Manitoba, it’s right here under this blanket of snow. Just dig down a few feet and you’ll find it. Honest, this is what it really looks like here in January. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it. I expect to get used to it anytime now. Maybe.

If you are new to Winnipeg, don’t worry, we are more than a very large snow cone. First, believe it or not, a large number of people actually enjoy getting outside this time of year, skating, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, sledding, ice fishing, ice and street hockey. Crazy, I know, but it’s true.

For those of us who prefer to avoid freezing off vital parts of our anatomy, Winnipeg provides for that as well. We have a large cultural community, starting with theatres such as Prairie Theatre Exchange, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, among many smaller venues, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Manitoba Opera, etcetera. We also have a number of concerts throughout the season, at MTS Centre, Burton Cummings Theatre, West End Cultural Centre, among other venues. The list goes on.

There is also the limited cold weather activities such as enjoying a hockey game in a climate controlled rink, either by watching our Winnipeg Jets of Manitoba Moose at the MTS Centre, or by getting involved in one of our minor hockey leagues. Curling is another way of enjoying the winter in climate controlled comfort, if that is something you would like.

Of course, if you truly want to embrace the Polar Vortex, February brings our annual celebration of winter, Festival du Voyageur, and you don’t want to miss that. Even I can get into this winter tradition.

So, for new Manitobans and seasoned veterans, take care, stay warm, and see you next month.